Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. See our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.

Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement for details.

F-gas regulation certification and training is up and running in nearly all the EU member states , even in Italy has started now with in September certifing the first contractors under the Italian certification scheme.

If we have to avoid using HFCs which now can be used in every application The low GWP alternatives can be the following This table come from the AREA guidance on LOW GWP refrigerants no refrigerant represents the ideal solution in all cases and for every equipment – taking in account many more factors than simply GWP for example energy efficiency more applications for HFOs and HFO blends will probably be developed with full commercialisation of the refrigerants Commercial Refrigeration HFO 1234ze* Air Conditioning R32 We will be hearing this refrigerant s in this applications in the following presentations. Domestic refrigeration and small commercial refrigeration can be easily made with hydrocarbons with excellent results. Ammonia in large applications has been used for hundred years succesfully. Automotive has chosen with few recent exceptions HFO1234yf mainly for the small modifications to the system and the chain of aftersales.

AREA position on training and certification of LOW GWP refrigerants (1) So for the future phase-down of HFCs will lead to a higher use of alternative refrigerants / low GWP refrigerants. Low GWP refrigerants have issues on safety, flammability, toxicity and high pressure which will need to be properly considered when handling those refrigerants. With this guidance document, AREA would like to recommend to worldwide and European decision-makers minimum requirements for training and certification of contractors handling low GWP refrigerants.

It is not AREA’s intention to create a new certification scheme – only to add specific modules to the existing HFCs certification scheme based on Regulation 303/2008. While HFC certification will be the basis for every contractor who want to handle every refrigerant, each added module will focus on the specificities of the respective LOW GWP refrigerant (i.e. Hydrocarbons – Flammability). Training is important and it is the only method to transfer to the contractor the knowledge to install, maintain and repair RACHP systems containing alternative refrigerants considering both the technical and safety issues. For the training facilities AREA suggests that test rigs, equipment and components related to each alternative refrigerant are recommended to simulate best practices AREA suggests that certification should be made mandatory. Each candidate who wants to handle alternative refrigerants should hold a certificate which assessed to the requirements of 303/08 and should take part in an assessment specifically for the alternative refrigerant he wants to handle.

In the same way AREA Task force released here for ChillVenta this new position paper about: Guidance on minimum requirements for contractors’ training &amp; certification The table below lists the minimum competences which the candidate should have to obtain the certification specific to each alternative refrigerant *HFO1234yf: same, minimum requirements as Hydrocarbons HC *HFO1234ze: same minimum requirements as HFCs R32 as Hydrocarbons HC Procedures for working with A2 and A2L (proposed) refrigerants have not yet been formulated, so the procedures for A3 refrigerants (HCs) should be followed until these are available. BASIC THERMODYNAMICS AND PHYSICS Thermodynamic properties of Low GWP refrigerant: temperature, pressure, density, thermal capacity, p/h diagram Differences between Low GWP refrigerants and HFCs Toxicity characteristics, grades and limits for the human body Characteristic of Flammability of the substances, velocity of propagation, LFL, UFL, occupancy Specific components for that refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle Material compatibility Oil compatibility, requirements and oil return

GOOD PRACTICE Identify typical application of Low GWP refrigerants RAC systems2 (refer to AREA: Low GWP Refrigerants Guidance) State and identify the commonly used refrigerants designation State the requirements for safely labeling Low GWP refrigerant RAC systems6 Select appropriate tools, equipment and PPE for work on Low GWP RAC systems6 Recovery of the refrigerant Venting the refrigerant in a safe way (according to national legislation) Calculate the safe fill weight for the recovery cylinder (density difference between HFCs and Low GWP refrigerants) 2 Leak check direct assessment with the correct equipment Make vacuum of the refrigerant preventing moisture in the system and without refrigerant emissions Make charge of the refrigerant with no emission relief Make a connection without brazing with alternative connections Check the correct functioning of the safety ventilation system Check the correct functioning of the safety system controls

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Safe system shutdown and isolation 2 Extinguish a fire, identify the appropriate fire extinguisher First aid care treatment for frostbite First aid due to fire burn First aid suffocation due to breathing problems Safety issues related to high pressures Calculate LFL (confined space) Calculate confined space for asphyxiation (heavier than air) Check that Health and Safety rules in the refrigeration system location are respected (emergency exits, fire alarms, leak detectors…) Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment

REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS Knowledge of European and National Regulations and standards Storage of the refrigerant Transport of the refrigerant Describe the process for handing over system to costumer completing and passing on appropriate commissioning documentation2

8.
Contractors’ training with low GWP
refrigerants: mind the gap!
the use of HFCs is legislatively decreased
and consequently the use of natural
refrigerants is pushed, there will be a gap
between training offer and training needs
resulting in a shortage of trained
contractors
The revision of the F-Gas Regulation include measures in favour of a decreased use
of HFCs in RACHP equipment. Such measures would, in turn, result in an increased
use of alternatives, namely low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants, and in
particular the so-called “natural refrigerants” (CO2, hydrocarbons and ammonia).
Mindful of the key role played by contractors in the safe, efficient and reliable
functioning of equipment working with natural refrigerants, AREA sought an overview
of the availability and level of training in the EU.
Solution could be starting from the F-Gas certification of personnel
adding modules for natural refrigerants

9.
no refrigerant
represents the ideal
solution in all cases and
for every equipment –
each cooling application
has to be looked at in its
own merits and a
professional choice must
be made taking into
account many more
factors than simply GWP
Applications Refrigerant
Industrial Refrigeration HFO (?)
All kind of Industrial Ref. Ammonia
Cascade systems Carbon Dioxide + Ammonia
Secondary fluids Carbon Dioxide
Commercial Refrigeration
Cabinets Hydrocarbons
Bottle coolers Hydrocarbons
Supermarkets Carbon Dioxide
Domestic Refrigeration
freezers Hydrocarbons
Air Conditioning R32 or HFO (?)
Heat Pumps Hot Water Carbon Dioxide Trans-critical
Large Chillers Ammonia
Small Monobloc Air Conditioning Hydrocarbons
Automotive HFO 1234yf
Applications / low GWP alternative refrigerants
From AREA
guidance on LOW
GWP refrigerants
*more applications for
HFOs and HFO blends will
probably be developed
with full commercialisation
of the refrigerants

10.
AREA position on training and certification
of LOW GWP refrigerants (1)
• A future phase-down of HFCs will lead to a
higher use of alternative refrigerants / low GWP
refrigerants. Low GWP refrigerants have issues
on safety, flammability, toxicity and high
pressure which will need to be properly
considered when handling those refrigerants.
With this guidance document, AREA would like
to recommend to worldwide and European
decision-makers minimum requirements for
training and certification of contractors handling
low GWP refrigerants.

11.
• It is not AREA’s intention to create a new
certification scheme – only to add specific
modules to the existing HFCs certification
scheme based on Regulation 303/2008. While
HFC certification will be the basis for every
contractor who want to handle every refrigerant,
each added module will focus on the
specificities of the respective LOW GWP
refrigerant (i.e. Hydrocarbons – Flammability).
AREA position on training and certification
of LOW GWP refrigerants (2)

16.
Information on Alternatives?
Article 8)
Certification
Comma 2) Shall cover information in relation to
techologies to replace or to reduce the use of
fluorinated gas
Training
5a) member states shall ensure persons holding
certificates have access to information in relation to
techologies to replace or to reduce the use of
fluorinated gas
5b) member states shall ensure the availability of
training …. As above …
Are
information
enough?

17.
No possible a certification scheme
included in the revision of the F-gas
regulation (similar to 303/08)
Member States should act rapidly to
prevent accidents in the transitions
to alternative refrigerants.
Member States should add
certification schemes!
It is not enough article 8,
5a) and 5b): information about
alternatives should be available
Certification Scheme on Alternatives